Rabia

Blessing of Flowers and Wind

Overview

She possesses the blood of a dragon. As a child, she was selected to guard the Tower of Sanctity. Blessed by the Lord Deity, her body remains that of a 12-year-old girl. It is only during battle that she changes to an adult form.
This blessing determined that her lifelong duty would be to guard the Tower. As she continued to guard the Tower over the years, her feelings shifted, leading her to resent and hate the Lord Deity.

Chapter One

(1425—1453, Era of Eternal Flame) Born into a prestigious family, Reybia showed remarkable magical talent from infancy. She effortlessly weaved simple spells as soon as she could speak. Her mother, a noble Nova, feared for Reybia's future, knowing the risks that accompany such exceptional gifts.
Destiny intervened when the Sanctuary issued a decree: Reybia was to become the new Guard of the Tower of Sanctity, succeeding the strongest Nova.
As the Tower Guard, her physical form would be preserved, granting potential longevity—if she avoided frequent battles.
Her mother celebrated this divine blessing.
But young Reybia was less enthused, pleading to stay home.She shared the news at home, but young Reybia was less than thrilled. Reybia, now only a child clutching her mother's fingers, pled to remain with her parents.
"Mom, I want to stay home. I don't want to guard the tower."
"This is a gift from Lord Deity. You will live a long, long life."
"But, will I still see you and Dad?"
"Your father and I will visit as much as we can."
"Alright then. Don't forget me."
Comforted yet pained by her daughter's innocent smile, her mother held Reybia close and wept.
However, the promise could not be fulfilled. Reybia was only eleven when her mother passed away. She was the first to discover the tragedy, a shock that deeply affected the young girl. Concerned, her father tried to reach out to her, but Reybia lashed out, accusing him of indifference. Her father, puzzled and hurt, wondered: How could his daughter be so detached? Had she been affected by Havoc Energy?
Her father brought her to the Sanctuary, where his fears were confirmed: Reybia's heightened emotions were due to an unusual sensitivity to Havoc Energy. The Sanctuary imposed a seal, dampening her affinity. This restraint rendered Reybia unusually quiet, and her responses became faint, as if her soul had been siphoned away.
Perhaps the once sympathetic girl had been profoundly altered by witnessing what had happened since her mother's death. However, the adults rejoiced at her serene demeanor, overlooking any deeper issues.
Shortly after her twelfth birthday, Reybia was sent to the Tower of Sanctity.
Her life in the Tower of Sanctity was nothing but monotony. Known as the Tower's Saintess, she found herself without companionship or purpose.
Days blurred together, as Novas came and went for training, while Reybia remained unchanged—a fixture in the tower.
The Tower's duties were minimal, and with the help of familiars, Reybia found herself with ample free time. She immersed herself in ancient tomes, reviewed inscriptions, and honed her abilities. Beyond this, her only connection to the outside world was through the tower's windows.
Gradually, Reybia's gaze turned outward more often.
What lay beyond the horizon? The outside world beckoned.
She thought about visiting the outside world.
Initially, rationality restrained her desire to leave, but as time passed, the urge grew stronger. The changing seasons outside tugged at her heart, a silent invitation to break free.
But how could she leave? And why would she? Each time such thoughts surfaced, the seal would suppress her emotions, plunging her back into stillness.
This cycle continued for what seemed like eternity, until one day, a carrier pigeon perched on the window sill of the Tower of Sanctity.

Chapter Two

The Tower of Sanctity, known for its impenetrable enchantments, was a sight to behold. Even birds, usually free to soar above, were forbidden from perching on its walls. Yet, one day, a lone pigeon landed on the windowsill, dropping a paper from its claw before taking flight.
Reybia, the Saintess, watched with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. This was highly unusual, and she knew engaging with the message could alter her life irrevocably. But a strange calm washed over her. She opened the window, bringing the paper inside.
"Esteemed Saintess Reybia:
We are members of the Secret Stone Society. Under the directive of a particular client, we seek your collaboration…"
The specifics didn't matter. What captivated Reybia was the society's bold promise: they vowed to shield their activities from Lord Deity's oversight, allowing her to leave the tower in secret.
With their help, Reybia stepped out of the Tower of Sanctity and into the world of vagabonds. Life outside was harsh. Despite her powerful magic, she lacked the practical skills to survive. Her gentle demeanor made her an easy target, and without the help of Jasha Kaffeth, a Society member and leader of a vagabond group, she might have perished.
After many trials, Reybia found her way into Peri's group.
Despite being a Nova, which usually raised suspicion, her delicate appearance and the seal that subdued her powers kept her safe. Only a few knew her true identity. To the others, she was just a common girl.
Integrating into the group was surprisingly easy, leaving Reybia puzzled. Most nomadic groups were brutal and morally corrupt, even Jasha Kaffeth's tribe. But Peri's group was different. Peri was direct and compassionate, though her impulsiveness had led them into danger more than once. This wasn't ideal for Reybia's goals. Accustomed to the order of the sacred city, she recognized the dangers of their undisciplined ways.
"We are too lax in our organization, Peri."
"What's the harm in that? A little freedom is enjoyable for everyone."
"But we've been endangered several times already! And we've almost run out of supplies several times!"
"Ah... that's a fair point. Do you have any good ideas?"
"You seem too nonchalant about this… Look, I've studied some management techniques. Let me give it a try."
"Sure, go ahead. But I can't help you much with that."
Reybia faced many setbacks at first. The knowledge she learned from books was purely academic. Applying it practically was both challenging and thrilling.
The vagabonds were rough and primitive, with frequent physical conflicts. Raised in the orderly sacred city, Reybia found them raw and barbaric. But she couldn't help but appreciate the authenticity of their emotions. As the team expanded, Reybia encountered sights and events beyond her wildest dreams, which deepened her sense of belonging.
Though the Secret Stone Society hadn't reached out in a long time, the mission outlined in that letter occasionally echoed in her mind:
"Guide the vagabonds to the Tower of Sanctity and literate the one sealed below. This is destiny's call."
As a former guardian of the Tower of Sanctity, Reybia knew something was sealed at the bottom. But how could this ragtag group breach the Tower of Sanctity? Even if they could, there would likely be heavy casualties.
She realized how much she had come to care for her companions.

Chapter Three

Reybia had been with the group for years, fighting many battles and watching it grow until all factions recognized them. Seeing Lybiehte, the City of Freedom, rise from ruins and vagabonds gain a homeland filled her with joy.
But things changed when the Secret Stone Society sent word: the operation was about to begin.
Soon after, Jasha Kaffeth and her crew arrived in Lybiehte. Reybia felt torn—wanting to protect her comrades but also yearning for true freedom. Her protective instinct led her to secretly plan removing the Society's agent from Jasha's team. But Jasha showed her the unbroken seal. If Reybia didn't help, she'd never be free, and if Jasha died, Reybia's ties to the Society would be revealed, making her exile inevitable.
"Do you think they don't know you're different? They keep you because you're fair and skilled. But when the truth comes out, no one will see you as family."
Reybia hesitated, confronting her fear of rejection. Haunted by nightmares since her deal with Jasha, she began distrusting everyone. She realized many of them had dark pasts, and the thought that they could turn on her stripped her of any sympathy. She began to see cracks in Peri's vision of a perfect city, sensing that the vagabonds' wild nature would eventually destroy any order.
Jasha kept pressuring her to spread Enma's faith, and Reybia's resolve started to crumble. When Peri left to greet new groups, and challenges to her authority arose, Reybia saw that the cracks were real. The allure of the City of Freedom was so strong that raiders everywhere wanted to claim it. Reybia's disappointment grew, though she found the situation darkly amusing.
The rebellion ended with Reybia unleashing her powers to suppress it. Thanks to Jasha, her identity as a Nova stayed hidden. But her ideals were shattered, leaving her emotionally disconnected from the group—was it fear that held her back? At the time, she didn't reflect on her inner turmoil. She began planning her escape, fearing her identity could be exposed at any moment. But escape wasn't enough for Reybia… Now consumed by disillusionment and hatred, she felt she had to eliminate the brutes.
Reybia used Peri's influence to push for summoning Enma in Lybiehte, preparing with Jasha Kaffeth. She also arranged for the powerful Nova Celestina to infiltrate, hoping she would take out Jasha for her betrayal. Reybia convinced herself she didn't care about anyone and had been manipulating them from the start. Lost in her fears, she failed to see she was just a pawn in a larger plan.
The Wraith known as Enma appeared, marking a turning point. Drawn to it, Reybia's hatred for herself and others deepened until Peri snapped her out of it. In Enma's presence, she saw how insignificant she really was.
She stayed with Peri, secretly guiding her to carry out the Secret Stone Society's plan. The freeing of the "Soul of Freedom" from the Tower of Sanctity became a key event in vagabond history. Reybia's name, however, was left out of the record, helping her evade Celestina but leaving her directionless. The Society found her again, offering a reward—the secret stone left by the "Soul of Freedom," a key to breaking her seal.
Reybia could have easily used the stone to free herself. But after seeing the powers of Lord Deity and Enma, she wanted more than freedom. She formed a small group to explore soul mysteries, laying the groundwork for the future Soul Cult.
As Reybia tapped into the stone's secrets, a vast entity briefly noticed her. She felt endless mysteries unraveling before her. Her seal broke instantly, and she was erased, both physically and spiritually, by the force. Reybia gained true freedom but at the cost of her own existence.
"Those who seek the soul's mysteries must face the consequences…"
These were the last words Reybia heard before her destruction.

Historical Notes

Peri:
Founder of Lybiehte, the Free City for vagabonds. Peri offered refuge to Reybia and, with her help, established the city. Despite harboring occasional suspicions of Reybia's betrayal, Peri chose to trust her and avoided excessive interference.

Soul Cult:
A secretive organization dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of the soul, formed after the fall of the Tower of Sanctity. Early founders were obliterated during their investigations, but later generations continued their work in secret. Rumors suggest they may have discovered a way to avoid death, but the details remain unknown.

Jasha Kaffeth:
Jasha Kaffeth appeared as a merchant in the wilderness around 1430. Her origins are unclear, but some historians speculate she might have been connected to Mary Kaffeth, a former leader of the Esoteric Society who turned it into the Secret Stone Society. Jasha's first historical mention ties her to this Society, and the exact nature of her relationship with Mary continues to intrigue researchers.